Inspection process
Preparatory phase inspection
Also called: prep meeting, preparatory meeting
The preparatory phase inspection is the meeting held before a definable feature of work starts. QC, the foreman, and often the owner's rep sit down to confirm the submittals are approved, the right materials are on site, the crew understands the acceptance criteria, and the preceding work is ready to build on. It is the first of the three phases of control, and its whole purpose is to catch problems on paper before they become problems in place.
Why it matters
Most rework traces back to something known before the first fastener went in: an unapproved substitution, a missing detail, a surface that wasn't ready. The prep phase forces those to the surface while they're still cheap to fix.
What proves it
The record shows who attended, which submittals and standards were reviewed, the material delivered and its condition, and any items to resolve before work begins. In RTI the prep review is a step on the feature's checklist, so the photos of delivered material and the reviewed criteria are attached before the initial phase can open.
Checklists that put preparatory phase inspection to work
Free, field-ready checklists, each with the photo every item needs before it can be submitted.
Related terms
- Definable feature of workA discrete, separately inspectable task or segment of work with its own start, finish, and acceptance criteria within the QC plan.
- Initial phase inspectionThe second phase of control — inspecting the first representative portion of a feature to set the workmanship standard for the rest.
- Follow-up phase inspectionThe third phase of control — recurring checks while a feature is built out, confirming it stays true to the standard set at the initial phase.
- Quality control planThe project-specific document that defines how a contractor will control quality — who inspects what, to which standards, and how it's recorded.
- Hold pointA stop in the inspection and test plan where work cannot continue until a required party inspects and signs off the release.
- Witness pointA step where a party is invited to observe the work, but the crew may proceed if that party doesn't attend within the agreed notice.
Knowing the term is step one. Proving it is the job.
RTI holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and the photos are attached, then chains the record so it can be proven untouched later.